The Kansas City Chiefs played their first preseason game on Saturday. Although they lost, I still marvel at the team’s depth. With less than three weeks until the roster cuts, the team is beginning to take shape. Some tough decisions are coming.
Watching preseason games can be both grueling and exciting. The first of three August games is usually the hardest to get into. The starters play a few series, then the backups get their shot. After that, the players vying for a limited number of roster spots have their chance to impress the coaching staff.
After the 20-17 loss to the Cardinals and watching the game from start to finish, I’ve put together my first depth chart and the path to the 53-man roster.
Offense (26)
Quarterbacks (2) Patrick Mahomes, Gardner Minshew
Wide Receiver (7) Xavier Worthy, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jason Brownlee, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Royals, Hollywood Brown, Nikko Remigio
Tight Ends (4) Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jared Wiley, Robert Tonyan
Running Backs (4) Isiaha Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Elijah Mitchell, Brashard Smith
Tackle (4) Josh Simmons, Jawaan Taylor, Jaylon Moore, Esa Pole
Center (2) Creed Humphrey, Mike Caliendo
Guard (3) Kingsley Suamataia, Trey Smith, C.J. Hanson
In summary, I’ll assume Rashee Rice will start the season with a four-game suspension, and that Hollywood Brown will be healthy for opening day. I don’t feel the luxury of letting Wanya Morris make the team. I believe Esa Pole is far too talented to risk placing on the practice squad.
Even though Carson Steele had a great game against the Cardinals, Head Coach Andy Reid would need to sacrifice Elijah Mitchell, and I’m not sure he’s going to do that.
At the guard position, I have Caliendo as the backup center, so the Chiefs only need to carry three guards because he can fill in at both spots. That means Hunter Nourzad doesn’t make the final roster. I base this on Jalen Moore’s ability to play both guard and tackle as well.
Defense (23)
Defensive End (5) George Karlaftis, Charles Omenihu, Mike Danna, Ashston Gillotte, Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Defensive Tackle (4) Chris Jones, Mike Pennel, Omarr Norman-Lott, Jerry Tillery
Linebacker (5) Drue Tranquill, Jeffrey Bassa, Nick Bolton, Brandon George, Leo Chenal
Cornerback (5) Jaylen Watson, Nohl Williams, Kristian Fulton, Trent McDuffie, Chris Roland-Wallace
Safety (4) Jaden Hicks, Bryan Cook, Chamarri Conner, FA Justin Simmons
In summary, the Chiefs have some versatility on defense, but they also have a major weakness in the secondary. So, I have the Chiefs signing free agent safety Justin Simmons to start over Cook. Additionally, I am ending the roster spot for Nazeeh Johnson. I think Joshua Williams is traded, and his time in Kansas City ends abruptly.
Although I have 49 position players, one short, that spot will come from another NFL team after the final cuts.
Special Teams (3) Matt Araiza, Harrison Butker, James Winchester
Final Thoughts: The Chiefs have some flexibility with this roster, and several players can fill different roles. When Rice returns, someone will have to be removed, but that decision is likely in October. Until then, injuries will probably influence that move.
